Joshua Zirkzee has turned down a move to Fiorentina, and that has left Manchester United's late-window plans in a messier place. Fabrizio Romano said United could still add another striker if Zirkzee leaves, while the Dutch forward has played just 127 minutes since Michael Carrick's arrival and has been an unused substitute in each of United's first two Premier League games this season.

Romano's update on United's striker plans

Romano's view is conditional, not absolute. Speaking about the situation, he said: "I think if Zirkzee goes to Italy with Fiorentina in talks and more clubs interested, in that case, Man United could add one more striker because obviously there is Champions League football this season and they need one more striker apart from Benjamin Sesko, (Matheus) Cunha, or (Marcus) Rashford, who can play there. So United are exploring several possibilities."

That fits the way United have handled the summer too. They have yet to raise any funds through the sale of senior players, so every move at the top end of the pitch still depends on pieces falling into place.

Zirkzee's own situation is part of why the club are still looking. He has no Premier League appearances yet in 2026, and Benjamin Šeško has made only two appearances this season, with no goal contribution so far.

Fiorentina's push and the late-window chain

Romano also said: "Joshua Zirkzee has turned down a move to Fiorentina after €5m loan plus €30m buy option clause proposal sent to Manchester United on Wednesday."

That clashes a little with the wider reporting around the deal, which has described Fiorentina as doing everything they can to sign him and, in another version, as working with a €5m loan fee and a €30m purchase option that could become mandatory under certain conditions. Juventus have also made an approach, so this has become a chain of late-window interest rather than a clean one-club chase.

The key point is simple enough. Zirkzee is not going anywhere yet, but United are still leaving the door open to a new striker if he does move. With less than 48 hours left in the window, the club do not have much time to let that chain play out.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →